How to Transfer Files Between Mac and Android or Other MTP Devices using OpenMTP, a Free and Open-Source Alternative to Google's Android File Transfer

Most devices connect the same way. Start with the steps for every device, then check the instructions for your specific device if it doesn't work.

How to transfer files between every MTP device and Mac?

  1. Download OpenMTP and drag it into your Applications folder on your Mac.
  2. Connect the device to your Mac with a USB data cable. Some cables only charge.
  3. Unlock the device.
  4. If the device asks what the USB connection is for, choose File transfer (sometimes called MTP or Transfer files).
  5. Open the OpenMTP app. It has two panes: the files on your Mac are on the left and the MTP device is on the right. If it doesn't show up, click refresh on either pane.

Only one app can use an MTP device at a time. If OpenMTP can't see the device, quit anything that might be holding it: Preview, Image Capture, Photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Android File Transfer, Garmin Express, iMovie or Lightroom.

How to transfer files between Android phones and tablets and Mac?

Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Redmi, Fairphone, Sony Xperia and other Android devices all use the same USB setting.

  1. Make sure the USB cable is properly connected.
  2. If the device isn't detected, try unplugging it and plugging it back in, and make sure your USB cable can transfer data, not just charge.
  3. Unlock your phone with its PIN, pattern or fingerprint.
  4. Pull down the notification shade and tap the USB notification.
  5. Under Use USB for, choose File transfer.
  6. No notification? Open your device's Settings, search for USB or USB Preferences, and choose File transfer there.

Example Android devices

  • Nexus 5
  • Nexus 6P
  • Pixel
  • Pixel 2 XL
  • Pixel 3
  • Pixel 3a
  • Pixel 4
  • Pixel 4a
  • Pixel 5
  • Pixel 6
  • Pixel 6 Pro
  • Pixel 6a
  • Pixel 7
  • Pixel 7 Pro
  • Pixel 7a
  • Pixel Fold
  • Pixel 8
  • Pixel 8 Pro
  • Pixel 8a
  • Pixel 9
  • Pixel 9 Pro
  • Pixel 9 Pro Fold
  • Pixel 10
  • Pixel 10 Pro
  • Pixel Tablet
  • Moto G Power
  • Moto G Stylus
  • Motorola Edge 50
  • Motorola Razr 50
  • Motorola Razr+
  • OnePlus 7 Pro
  • OnePlus 9
  • OnePlus 11
  • OnePlus 13
  • OnePlus Nord
  • OnePlus Nord CE 4
  • Xiaomi Mi 9
  • Xiaomi Mi 11
  • Xiaomi 14
  • Xiaomi 15 Pro
  • Redmi Note 9
  • Redmi Note 13
  • POCO F6
  • POCO X6 Pro
  • Sony Xperia Z5
  • Sony Xperia XZ2
  • Sony Xperia 1 VI
  • Sony Xperia 5 V
  • Sony Xperia 10 V
  • Huawei P30 Pro
  • Huawei Mate 40 Pro
  • Huawei Nova 11
  • HTC One M9
  • HTC U11+
  • LG G6
  • LG V30
  • LG Velvet
  • OPPO Find X6
  • OPPO Reno 10
  • vivo X100
  • vivo V29
  • realme GT 6
  • realme Narzo 70
  • Honor Magic 6
  • Honor 90
  • Nokia 8.1
  • Nokia G22
  • ASUS ROG Phone 8
  • ASUS ZenFone 9
  • Lenovo Legion Phone Duel
  • Fairphone 3
  • Fairphone 5
  • Fairphone 6
  • Nothing Phone (1)
  • Nothing Phone (2a)
  • Nothing Phone (3)
  • and more

How to transfer files between Samsung phones and tablets and Mac?

  1. Make sure the USB cable is properly connected.
  2. If the device isn't detected, try unplugging it and plugging it back in, and make sure your USB cable can transfer data, not just charge.
  3. Unlock the phone. When it asks Allow access to phone data?, tap Allow.
  4. No prompt? Tap the USB notification and choose Transferring files.
  5. If OpenMTP goes blank, or the device isn't detected, when you connect, quit Samsung Smart Switch and try again. It can block other apps from reaching the phone over MTP.
  6. Still blank? Uninstalling Smart Switch has fixed the problem for some users. See how to remove Samsung Smart Switch and drivers from your Mac.
  7. Still stuck? Restart OpenMTP, quit any other app that might be holding the device, such as Kies, Preview, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Lightroom, then see the troubleshooting guide.

Example Samsung devices

  • Galaxy S5
  • Galaxy S7 Edge
  • Galaxy S8+
  • Galaxy S9
  • Galaxy S10+
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra
  • Galaxy S21 FE
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra
  • Galaxy S23
  • Galaxy S23 Ultra
  • Galaxy S24
  • Galaxy S24 Ultra
  • Galaxy S25
  • Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • Galaxy S25 FE
  • Galaxy Note 4
  • Galaxy Note 9
  • Galaxy Note 10+
  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  • Galaxy A50
  • Galaxy A52
  • Galaxy A54
  • Galaxy A55
  • Galaxy A15
  • Galaxy A35
  • Galaxy J7 Pro
  • Galaxy M33
  • Galaxy M54
  • Galaxy F55
  • Galaxy Z Fold 3
  • Galaxy Z Fold 6
  • Galaxy Z Fold 7
  • Galaxy Z Flip 4
  • Galaxy Z Flip 6
  • Galaxy Z Flip 7
  • Galaxy Tab S6
  • Galaxy Tab S8
  • Galaxy Tab S9
  • Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
  • and more

How to transfer files between Meta Quest/Oculus VR headsets and Mac?

  1. Turn on the headset and log in.
  2. Connect the headset to your Mac with a USB-C data cable.
  3. Put the headset on. When it asks to allow access to data, choose Allow.
  4. No prompt? Open Notifications (the bell icon) on the Quest menu bar and look for a USB detected notification to trigger it.
  5. Open OpenMTP. The headset's storage appears on the right, so you can copy videos and screenshots off it, or copy music and custom maps onto it.

Example Meta Quest headsets

  • Meta Quest 3
  • Meta Quest 3S
  • Meta Quest Pro
  • Meta Quest 2
  • Oculus Quest
  • Oculus Go
  • and more

How to transfer files between Amazon Kindle e-readers and Mac?

Newer Kindles may use MTP when connected to a Mac, so they may not appear in Finder like a regular USB drive.

  1. Wake the Kindle and swipe past its lock screen or screensaver.
  2. Connect it to your Mac with a USB cable.
  3. Unlike Android, there's usually no menu to choose a USB mode. As long as the screen stays awake and unlocked, the Kindle exposes its storage automatically.
  4. Open OpenMTP. If the Kindle exposes its storage over MTP, it will appear on the right. Books and other documents are normally stored in the documents folder.

Older Kindles that appear in Finder as a drive don't need OpenMTP.

Example Kindle devices

  • Kindle Keyboard
  • Kindle Touch
  • Kindle 4th Gen
  • Kindle Paperwhite 5th Gen
  • Kindle Voyage
  • Kindle 8th Gen
  • Kindle Oasis 9th Gen
  • Kindle 10th Gen
  • Kindle Paperwhite 11th Gen
  • Kindle 11th Gen
  • Kindle Scribe 2022
  • Kindle Scribe 2024
  • Kindle Paperwhite 12th Gen
  • Kindle Colorsoft
  • and more

How to transfer files between Garmin watches and bike computers and Mac?

Some Garmins default to a proprietary Garmin Mode connection that macOS can't read, so you may need to switch the device to MTP first.

  1. Disconnect the watch or bike computer if it's plugged in.
  2. Hold the Up/Menu button to open the main menu, then go to System.
  3. Go to Advanced (on newer models such as the Fenix 8) or look for USB Mode directly, and change it from Garmin to MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).
  4. Quit Garmin Express if it's running. It holds on to the device.
  5. Connect the watch or bike computer with its USB cable.
  6. Open OpenMTP. If the device exposes its storage, you can browse and copy files normally. On compatible devices, GARMIN/NewFiles is used for courses, routes and similar files, and music-enabled watches expose a Music folder for music files.

Example Garmin devices

  • Approach S70
  • D2 Mach 2 Pro
  • Descent Mk3i
  • Edge 540
  • Edge 840
  • Edge 1040
  • Edge 1050
  • Edge Explore 2
  • Enduro 3
  • epix Pro Gen 2
  • Fenix 6
  • Fenix 6X Pro
  • Fenix 7
  • Fenix 7 Pro
  • Fenix 7X Solar
  • Fenix 8
  • Forerunner 245 Music
  • Forerunner 255 Music
  • Forerunner 265
  • Forerunner 645 Music
  • Forerunner 745
  • Forerunner 945
  • Forerunner 955
  • Forerunner 965
  • Forerunner 970
  • Instinct 3 Solar
  • Instinct Crossover
  • Lily 2 Active
  • Garmin MARQ
  • MARQ Adventurer Gen 2
  • quatix 7
  • quatix 8
  • tactix Delta
  • tactix 7 Pro
  • Venu 2
  • Venu 3
  • Venu Sq 2 Music
  • Vivoactive 4
  • Vivoactive 5
  • Vivoactive 6
  • and more

How to transfer files between Fujifilm mirrorless cameras and Mac?

  1. Turn on the camera and press the MENU/OK button.
  2. Go to the Set Up menu (the wrench icon), then Connection Setting, then PC Connection Mode, and set it to USB Card Reader.
  3. Connect the camera to your Mac with a data-capable USB cable and turn it on.
  4. Open OpenMTP. Your photos and videos should be under the DCIM folder.

Example Fujifilm cameras

  • Fujifilm X-T1
  • Fujifilm X-T3
  • Fujifilm X-T4
  • Fujifilm X-T5
  • Fujifilm X-T30 II
  • Fujifilm X-E4
  • Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • Fujifilm X-A5
  • Fujifilm X-S10
  • Fujifilm X-S20
  • Fujifilm X-H1
  • Fujifilm X-H2
  • Fujifilm X-H2S
  • Fujifilm X100V
  • Fujifilm X100VI
  • Fujifilm X70
  • Fujifilm GFX 50S
  • Fujifilm GFX100
  • Fujifilm GFX100S
  • Fujifilm GFX100 II
  • Fujifilm GFX50S II
  • Fujifilm GFX100RF
  • and more

How to transfer files between DJI drone controllers and Mac?

  1. Turn on the controller and connect its USB-C port to your Mac.
  2. On the controller's touchscreen, swipe down from the very top edge twice to open the Android notification panel.
  3. Tap the notification that says Charging this device via USB or USB connection, then choose File Transfer or MTP.
  4. Open OpenMTP and browse the controller's internal or shared storage. Flight records are usually stored inside the DJI app's files, but the exact folder depends on the controller and DJI software version.

Example DJI controllers

  • DJI Smart Controller
  • DJI RC
  • DJI RC 2
  • DJI RC Pro
  • DJI RC Pro 2
  • DJI RC-N1
  • DJI RC-N2
  • DJI RC-N3
  • DJI Mini 5 Pro controller
  • DJI CrystalSky 7.85"
  • and more

How to transfer files between BOOX and Supernote e-readers and Mac?

  1. Wake up and unlock the e-reader.
  2. Connect the USB cable to your Mac.
  3. A prompt usually appears on the e-reader asking how to use the USB connection. Choose File transfer or MTP.
  4. Open OpenMTP. If folders look empty, turn on Show hidden files for the Phone side.

Example e-readers

  • BOOX Note
  • BOOX Note Air
  • BOOX Note Air3 C
  • BOOX Note Air4 C
  • BOOX Max Lumi2
  • BOOX Tab Ultra
  • BOOX Tab Ultra C
  • BOOX Tab X
  • BOOX Palma
  • BOOX Palma 2
  • BOOX Poke5
  • BOOX Page
  • BOOX Leaf
  • BOOX Go 10.3
  • BOOX Go Color 7
  • BOOX Nova Air2
  • Supernote A5
  • Supernote A6
  • Supernote A5 X
  • Supernote A6 X
  • Supernote Nomad
  • Supernote Manta
  • and more

How to transfer files between MTP mp3 music players and voice recorders and Mac?

High-end players like these often run Android underneath, so the steps are close to a phone's.

  1. Unlock the player or recorder's screen.
  2. Connect it to your Mac.
  3. If it asks for a USB mode, choose MTP or File transfer. No prompt? Swipe down from the top of its screen and tap the USB connection setting, then change it from Charge Only or DAC Mode to MTP.
  4. Open OpenMTP and browse the folders on the device. Copy music or recordings to the folder used by your player or recorder.

Example music players and recorders

  • INNIOASIS G1
  • INNIOASIS G3
  • INNIOASIS G5
  • INNIOASIS SR1
  • TIMMKOO Q5
  • TIMMKOO MX2
  • TIMMKOO Q3E
  • Walkman NW-A55
  • Walkman NW-A105
  • Walkman NW-A306
  • Walkman NW-ZX300
  • Walkman NW-WM1AM2
  • FiiO X5 III
  • FiiO M6
  • FiiO M11
  • FiiO M11 Plus
  • FiiO M15S
  • FiiO M17
  • iBasso DX160
  • iBasso DX220
  • iBasso DX300
  • iBasso DX320
  • HiBy R3 II
  • HiBy R4
  • HiBy R6 III
  • HiBy R8 II
  • Shanling M3S
  • Shanling M6
  • Shanling M8
  • Astell&Kern SR25 MKII
  • Astell&Kern SE180
  • Astell&Kern SP3000
  • Monophone
  • Fanvace M32
  • and more

How to transfer files between GoPro cameras and Mac?

  1. Turn on the GoPro.
  2. Connect it to your Mac with a USB-C data cable. Some cables only charge.
  3. If the camera asks how to use the connection, choose Connect to PC or MTP.
  4. Open OpenMTP. Your photos and videos should be under the DCIM folder.

Example GoPro cameras

  • GoPro HERO4
  • GoPro HERO5
  • GoPro HERO6
  • GoPro HERO7
  • GoPro HERO8
  • GoPro HERO9
  • GoPro HERO10
  • GoPro HERO11
  • GoPro HERO12
  • GoPro HERO13
  • GoPro MAX
  • GoPro MAX2
  • and more